Inaugural Derek Wootton Memorial Gala and Auction a huge success

The inaugural Derek Wootton Memorial Gala Dinner and Auction held late last month has raised more than $30,000 to continue to assist young people in the Kapiti Mana area to achieve their academic, cultural and sporting dreams.

The Derek Wootton Memorial Trust was established following the death of Porirua Sergeant Derek Wootton, on the 11th of July 2008.

The 52 year old officer was killed in the line of duty in Titahi Bay as he was laying road spikes to stop a fleeing driver.

Since 2010, the Trust has donated around $8,500 in grants to young people. A goal for 2012 was to be able to award young people with $20,000 in grants and the idea for a gala dinner and auction to meet this target was born.

The inaugural Derek Wootton Memorial Gala Dinner and Auction was held at Pataka Musuem of Art and Culture in Porirua on the 29th of May, exceeding all expectations.

Trust Chair, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam, officer in charge of the Kapiti Mana CIB says, "We have been absolutely blown away by the generosity of the wider Wellington business community, who donated a huge variety of auction items to our worthy cause. Porirua City Council and staff at the Royal New Zealand Police College also donated their time to making sure the event went ahead without any hitches."

Mike Oxnam says the 180 odd guests who attended the inaugural event were kept entertained by auctioneer and MC Ian Klinac, cartoonist Tom Scott who interviewed All Blacks coach Steve Hansen and musical sensation The World Champion Fource barbershop quartet from Aotea College, past recipients of the Trust.

Celebrity guests also included Black Sox legend Mark Sorenson, world champion Black Sox coach Don Tricker and former All Black Alama Ieremia.

"It was our aim to raise $20,000 to be able to donate in grants next month so to raise over $30,000 is extremely humbling and was only made possible by the support and generosity of our local community and businesses throughout the wider Wellington area."

Plans are already underway for a bigger, better and brighter Gala Dinner and Auction in 2013, with local businesses already signaling their intention to be part of the event.

Mike Oxnam says the Trust will now be handing out $30,000 worth of grants to worthy young recipients at a luncheon at the Royal New Zealand Police College on Friday 13 July.

The luncheon also coincides with the 4th anniversary of Sergeant Wootton's tragic death.

There is still time for young people to make an application for a grant, to further their academic, sporting or cultural aspirations and forms are available on the DWMT website - www.dwmt.org.nz

Tickets to the luncheon are still available at a cost of $20 and are available by phoning Margaret Tate at Porirua Police Station on (04) 238 1430.